CONTAINER WITH MULTI DEPRESSIBLE CAP PRESS TOP

Abstract

A substance container has a cap that defines a cap space for an additive. The cap has a cap space opening closed by a seal which may or may not be pre-weakened, and a flexible press top having a pushing mechanism that reaches through the cap space attached on one end to the flexible top, while another end of the pushing mechanism is directed to the opening. The flexible press top has an upper side and an opposite lower side arranged such that upon depression the pushing mechanisms means hold fixed radial positions during translation to the opening, contact with the seal and push through the seal.

Claims

1. A substance container having a cap that defines a cap space for an additive, the cap comprising: a cap space opening that is closed by a seal which may or may not be pre-weakened; and a flexible press top having pushing means which while reaching through the cap space are on one end attached to the flexible top and on another end directed to the opening; wherein the flexible press top has an upper side and an opposite lower side is arranged such that upon depression the pushing means, which are attached to the lower side, hold fixed radial positions during translation to the opening, contact with the seal and push through the seal; wherein the flexible press top includes spreading means reaching through the cap space and attached to the lower side of the flexible press top; wherein the spreading means come into operation, after the seal has been pushed through, in response to a further depression of the flexible press top; and wherein pushed through seal parts are spread out radially outwardly to allow the additive and substance to mix.

2. The substance container according to claim 1, wherein the flexible press top has controllably flexing parts formed to flex in succession when the flexible press top is depressed and depressed further, and wherein the spreading means are attached in the vicinity of one of the flexing part that flexes during the further depression.

3. The substance container according to claim 2, wherein the controllably flexing parts are integrated in material of a flexible cone surrounding a press knob of the flexible press top.

4. The substance container according to claim 2, wherein the controllably flexing parts are annular inner and outer parts separated by a relatively stiff annular part whereon the spreading means are fixed in the vicinity of the one of the flexing parts.

5. The substance container according to claim 1, wherein the controllably flexing parts are hinges that display respectively mutually different stiffnesses in a direction in line with a direction of movement of the flexible press top when.

6. The substance container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the pushing means and the spreading means are provided on a number of longitudinal tongues that reach through the cap space, which has a its cap space opening closed by a pre-weakened material seal and wherein upper tongue ends of the longitudinal tongues are attached to a lower side of the flexible press top.

7. The substance container according to claim 6, wherein lower tongue ends of the tongues form the pushing means and side edges of the tongues form the spreading means.

8. A cap for use on a substance container, wherein the cap defines a cap space for an a additive and comprises: a cap space opening closed by a seal which may or may not be pre-weakened, and a flexible press top having pushing means that while reaching through the cap space are on one end attached to the flexible top and on another end directed to the cap space opening: wherein the flexible press top has an upper side and an opposite lower side arranged such that upon depression, the pushing means, attached to the lower side, hold fixed radial positions during translation of the pushing means to the opening, contact of the seal and push through the seal, wherein the flexible press top further includes spreading means reaching through the cap space and attached to the lower side and which come into operation, after the seal has been pushed through, in response to a further depression of the flexible press top and wherein pushed through seal parts are spread out radially outwardly to allow the additive and substance to mix.

9. The cap according to claim 8, wherein the additive is a hydroscopic powder, or a liquid.

10. The cap according to claim 8, wherein the cap is provided with a one-time breakable tamper evident means.

11. The cap (3) according to claim 8, wherein the pushing means and the spreading means are provided on a number of longitudinal tongues that reach through the cap space, where the cap space opening is closed by a pre-weakened material seal, wherein the flexible press top has controllably flexing parts formed to flex in succession when the flexible press top is depressed and depressed further, and that upper ends of the tongues are attached to the lower side of the flexible press top (9) in a vicinity of one of the flexing part that part flexes during the further depression.

12. The cap (3) according to claim 8, wherein lower tongue ends of the tongues form the pushing means and side edges of the tongues form the spreading means.

13. A method for combining a substance present in a container with an additive present in a cap space formed within a cap of the container, the cap space closed by a seal that which may or may not be pre-weakened, arranging whereto pushing means that are attached to a flexible press top the cap to reach through the cap space in a direction of the seal, and depressing the flexible press top to cause the pushing means attached to a lower side to hold fixed radial positions and translate to, contact and push through the seal forming the seal parts, and further depressing the flexible press top to cause spreading means to reach through the cap space (6) to come into operation wherein the seal parts are spread out radially outwardly.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the pushing means, which are directed to the seal, are initially at a distance (a) from the un-pushed seal.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the seal parts are spread out to the opening of the cap.

Description

[0014] At present the substance container, cap and method according to the invention will be elucidated further together with their further advantages, while reference is being made to the appended drawings, wherein similar components are being referred to by means of the same reference numerals. In the drawings:

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a substance container provided with a cap both according to the invention closing off the container which has a tamper evident means mounted thereon.

[0016] FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c respective cross sections of the cap according to a first embodiment of the invention each with encircled enlarged details of respective press states of its flexible top.

[0017] FIGS. 3a-3h successive press positions of respective pushing means and spreading means of the cap according to the FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c at successive press states of its flexible top.

[0018] FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c respective cross sections of the cap according to the second embodiment of the invention each with encircled enlarged details of respective press states of its flexible top.

[0019] FIGS. 5a-5h successive press positions of pushing means and spreading means both provided on tongues of the cap of FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c;

[0020] FIGS. 6a and 6b a tamper evident means on the cap according to either of possible embodiments of the invention in un-tampered and tampered states respectively; and

[0021] FIGS. 7a and 7b a tamper-evident means in the form of an over cap on the cap in either of possible embodiments of the invention in un-tampered and tampered states respectively.

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a container 1 meant to be filled with media, generally some liquid substance. The substance container 1 has a spout 2 whereon a cap 3 is provided which closes off the opening 4 of the spout 2 in an airtight manner. Normally the cap 3 is screwed on the spout 2, for example by means of an external screw thread on the spout 2 and an corresponding internal thread in a circumferential cavity 5 of the cap 3.

[0023] The cap 3 as further shown in the first preferred embodiment in cross sections in FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c with accompanying encircled enlarged details defines a cap space 6 which is normally filled with an additive, such as a vitalising liquid or powder, which ultimately is to be mixed with the substance in the container 1, prior to being consumed. The additive may for example also be an additive or a liquid such as a drink, but for example also cleaning fluids, solvents, paints etcetera are possible.

[0024] The cap space 6 has an opening 7 which is closed by means of a seal 8. The material of the seal may for example comprise paper, carton, plastic, or a metal such as aluminium. The seal 8 may or may not be pre-weakened, as will be explained hereinafter.

[0025] The upper part of the cap 3 has a flexible press top 9 whose upper side 10 can be depressed. Opposite the side 10 the flexible top 9 has its opposite lower side 11. Attached to this opposite side 11 are one end of pushing means 12 which reach through the cap space 6, while their other ends are directed to the opening 7 of the cap space 6, as shown in FIG. 2a.

[0026] Attached to an annular conical relatively stiff part 15-1 at lower side 11 which lies in between controllably less stiff flexing parts 14-1 and 14-2 of the flexible press top 9 is a in this case truncated cone 15. The cone 15 surrounds a press knob 19 mounted centrally on top of the press top 9. Spreading means 13 reach through the cap space 6, while the lower ends of the means 13 are directed to the opening 7 of the cap space 6, as also shown in FIG. 2a. The lower ends of the spreading means 13 as shown here are at a slightly larger distance from the opening 7 than lower ends of the pushing means 12, whose lower ends are later intended to translate through the seal 8 (cf. a in FIG. 2a).

[0027] Upon depression of the flexible press top 9 the pushing means 12 which are attached to the lower side 11as shown centrally at the lower end of the knob 19-translate to the opening 7 approach and contact the seal 8, as shown in FIG. 2b, and push through the seal 8, which may or may not be pre-weakened. If pre-weakened the pushing means 12 lower edges which sever the seal 8 do not have to be sharp; if not pre-weakened these edges may have sharper cutting edges. The flexible top 9 is further arranged such that the spreading means 13 also reaching through the cap space 6 are attached to the stiffer part 15-1 in the vicinity of the part 14-2, which in turn is stiffer than the part 14-1. So, if the knob 19 is being pushed the lower edges of the pushing means 12 push through the seal 8, and meanwhile the lower ends of the spreading means 13 hold their radial position. This position is being maintained until part 14-1 is fully deformed downwards, as shown in FIG. 2b. If knob 19 is further depressed then stiffer part 14-2 comes into operation and starts to flex. This marks the radial spreading of the lower ends of the spreading means 13 fixed close to that part 14-2 on the stiff part 15-1, shown in FIG. 2c.

[0028] In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2 the holding of their radial position during the translation is technically realised by creating the two controllably flexing parts 14-1, 14-2 in the cone 15 of the flexible press top 9. Now in more detail going from the initial position of FIG. 2a to the first press position shown in FIG. 2b only the detailed left flexing part 14-1 deforms. This is done by a first deformation of only the part 14-1 of the flexible cone 15, which surrounds the knob 19. Thereto the part 14-1 is made broader, at least more flexible, than the other flexing part 14-2; the latter also lies closer to the centre of the side 10, 11. From FIG. 2a to FIG. 2b the stiffer conical surface 15-1 between the two flex parts 14-1 and 14-2 is parallel displaced downward and consequently the spreading means 13 are also parallel displaced, thus holding their radial position A. In response to the further depression the spreading means 13 are spread radially outwardly, as shown in FIG. 2c, to allow the additive and substance to be mixed. The further depression leads to the bending of flex part 14-2 and flipping of the flexible cone 15 from a convex shape to a concave shape. Consequently the cone part 15-1 is angularly displaced which spreads the spreading means 13 attached thereto to radial position B, while extending downward over a short distanceb(FIG. 2c). This spreads the pushed and pierced seal parts 8-1, 8-2 radially outwardly.

[0029] Generally speaking the flexural stiffness of the material parts of the two flex parts 14-1, 14-2 differ, as the stiffness of part 14-2 is greater than that of part 14-1, at least in the direction in which the flexible top 9 is to be pressed. Different stiffnesses while using the same material of the cap 3 can be created by making a proper choice of the thicknesses and/or lengths x, y of the flexible parts 14-1, 14-2.

[0030] Preferably the press top 9 does not have to be kept manually depressed in order to keep the spreading means 13 in spread out state. This is achieved by devising the parts 14-1, 14-2 such that they both keep their buckled end positions and do not spring back.

[0031] The optimisation of integrating both the parts 14-1 and 14-2 in one flexible cone material eases the manufacturing, possibly in a one piece cap manufacturing process, reduces the dimensions of the cap and reduces its weight. The parts 14-1, 14-2, 15 if annular cone parts, secure an airtight closing of the cap space 6 filled with possibly hygroscopic and/or oxygen sensitive additives.

[0032] In particular the pushing and spreading of the seal 8 and seal parts 8-1, 8-2 in this first embodiment is outlined further in FIGS. 3a-3h showing successive positions of the central and radial pushing means 12 and separate transversal spreading means 13 at successive press states of the flexible top 9 where FIGS. 3a-3d show cross sections of the cap 8 and FIGS. 3e-3h show the respective perspective views. FIGS. 3a and 3e show the cap 3 according to the first embodiment before the provision of the seal 8. FIGS. 3b and 3f can be related to FIG. 2a where the pushing means 12 are a distance a above the seal 8 to prevent accidental cutting of the seal 8. FIGS. 3c and 3g can be related to FIG. 2b where the pushing means 12 have pushed through the seal 8 and the spreading means 13 contact seal 8. FIGS. 3d and 3h show the seal 8 being spread by the spreading means 13.

[0033] More preferably the spreading means 13 extend in tangential direction within the cap space 6 relative to the radial direction which is perpendicular thereto, which is shown in FIG. 3e. FIGS. 3c and 3g show the pushing of the seal 8 creating the pushed through seal parts 8-1, 8-2 etcetera. FIGS. 3d and 3h show the situation after the consecutive spreading of these parts. Preferably the pierced seal parts 8-1, 8-2 are spread out till against edges 17 of the opening 7 of the cap 3 which makes it easier for powders to fall out or to be rinsed out of the cap space 6. This is in particular true for grains and powders which tend to coagulate in the corners of the cap space 6, for example hygroscopic powders and/or oxygen sensitive additives, which are generally more difficult to rinse or shake out.

[0034] The cap 3 as further shown in the second embodiment in cross sections in FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c defines a cap space 6 which may likewise be filled with a additive, such as a vitalising liquid or powder, which ultimately is to be mixed with the substance in the container 1, prior to being consumed. Where in the first embodiment the pushing means 12 and spreading means 13 are separate means, said means 12 and 13 are both mounted on tongues 16.

[0035] In particular the translating pushing and radial spreading of the seal 8 and seal parts 8-1, 8-2 in the second preferred embodiment is outlined further in FIGS. 5a-5h showing successive positions of the combined pushing/spreading means 12/13 both provided on tongues 16 at successive press states of the flexible top 9. FIGS. 5a-5d show cross sections of the cap and FIGS. 5e-5h the respective perspective views. FIGS. 5a and 5e show the cap according to the second embodiment before the provision of the seal 8. FIGS. 5b and 5f can be related to FIG. 4a where said means 12/13 are a distance, like a in FIG. 4a, above the seal 8 to prevent accidental cutting of the seal 8. FIGS. 5c and 5g can be related to FIG. 4b where the seal 8 is severed and torn apart by the lower ends of the tongues 16 at the here preferably pre-weakened areas and the distance a between the means 12/13 and seal 8 is approximately zero. FIGS. 5d and 5h show the seal 8 being spread by the means 13 present on the side edges of the tongues 16. FIG. 5f shows the seal 8 being pre-weakened, which can be done by partly pre-cutting the seal 8, etching or some other way such as with a laser to remove part of the seal surface material and make it partly thinner. Two crossing lines in FIG. 5f indicate pre-weakened seal lines. Consequently the intersection of these lines is weakest and thus it is most easy to start the contacting and pushing at this intersection, as this will cost less force to tear the seal 8 first. This also reduces the chance that the combined de-central pushing/spreading means 13 on the tongues 16 break.

[0036] The upper ends of in this case the combined means 12/13 are attached to said inner conical part 15-1 of the truncated cone 15. In case tearing starts at the intersection then tearing and spreading of cut seal parts 8-1 by the means 12 and 13 respectively may even take place by more rounded off means edges, which are easier to make. As shown the means 12/13 extend tangentially within the cap space 6, which is e.g. shown in FIG. 5e, as opposed to the pushing means radial extension elucidated with regard to the first cap embodiment. FIGS. 5c and 5g show the tearing of the seal 8 creating the pushed cut seal parts 8-1, 8-2 etcetera. FIGS. 5d and 5h show the situation after the consecutive spreading of these parts. Preferably the cut seal parts 8-1, 8-2 etcetera are spread out till against edges 17 of the opening 7 of the cap 3 which makes it easier for additives, such as powders to fall out or to be rinsed out of the cap space 6. This is in particular true for grains and powders which tend to coagulate in the corners of the cap space 6, for example hygroscopic powders, which are generally more difficult to rinse or shake out.

[0037] At wish any technical aspects of the explicitly described first and second embodiments may be combined.

[0038] FIGS. 6a and 6b show a tamper evident means 18 that is integrated as one single breakable part with the cap 3. In this case provided around and across at least the flexible top 9 and/or knob 19 on top of the upper side 10 in un-tampered and tampered states respectively. In order to be able to activate the cap 3 by pressing the upper side 10 and/or knob 19 it is necessary to bend the tamper evident means 18 to the side in order access the depressible upper side 10 and/or knob 19. When bending the tamper evident means 18 to the side small connections between tamper evident means 18 and knob 19 will be broken, clearly showing a tampering of the cap 3.

[0039] FIGS. 7a and 7b show a tamper evident over cap means 20 that comprises of a separate part that is attached to cap 3 by means of clicking, welding or any other means of attachment. The tamper evident means 20 has a truncated cone 21 just like cap 3 with a push area 25 at the centre. This push area is in contact with the upper push area side 10 of the cap 3. The truncated cone 21 of the tamper evident means 20 has a travel length that is equal or larger than the translation travel and travel caused by the flipping of the cone 15 of cap 3. The truncated cone 21 of tamper evident means 20 has areas 22 that are cut loose from the surroundings creating a gap 23 between areas 22 and the rest of tamper evident means 20. In the gaps 23 there are some small connections 24 between areas 22 and the rest of tamper evident means 20. When pressure is applied to the push area 25 in order to activate cap 3, the truncated cone 21 will flip from the convex shape in FIG. 7a to the concave shape in FIG. 7b. The areas 22 will rotate together with the angular movement of the truncated cone 21. During this movement the connections 24 will be torn. The torn connections 24 as well as the wide open gap 23 between areas 22 and the rest of cap 3 will clearly show tampering.

[0040] Advantageously the push area 25 of the tamper evident means 20 is protected from accidental activation because edge 26 is higher than the push area 25. Stacking of bottles cannot lead to accidental activation this way.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0041] Substance container 1 [0042] Spout 2 [0043] Cap 3 [0044] Opening 4 of 2 [0045] Cavity 5 [0046] Cap space 6 [0047] Opening 7 of 6 [0048] Seal 8, pushed through seal parts 8-1, 8-2 [0049] Flexible press top 9 [0050] Controllably flexing parts 14-1, 14-2 [0051] Upper side 10 of 9; lower side 11 of 9 [0052] Pushing means [0053] Spreading means 13 [0054] Cone 15, annular part 15-1 [0055] Longitudinal tongues 16 [0056] Edges 17 of 7 [0057] Tamper evident means 18 [0058] Push knob 19 [0059] Over cap means 20 [0060] Truncated cone 21 [0061] Areas 22 [0062] Gap 23 [0063] Connections 24 [0064] Push area 25 [0065] Distances a, A, x, y, b, B